New chief of Mayoral Academies named

December 12, 2010

CUMBERLAND â€” Daniel McKee, chairman of the board of Rhode Island Mayoral Academies Blackstone Valley (RIMABV), announced Friday the appointment of Jeremy Chiappetta as executive director of RIMABV schools.
Chiappetta will oversee both RIMABV elementary and middle schools located in Cumberland and continue as head of school at the RIMABV elementary school.
â€śJeremy is a highly respected leader in the education community. His leadership has been invaluable throughout his tenure with the school,â€ť said McKee. â€śHis day-to-day oversight of the elementary school where his duties have included the hiring of teachers provides him with a unique perspective to lead our Blackstone Valley schools. The board has every confidence in his abilities and I know this sentiment is shared by teachers and parents as well.â€ť
Chiappetta has been associated with RIMABV since its inception serving as principal of the elementary school and one of the schoolâ€™s key founding leaders.
Chiappetta previously served as a school and district-level administrator in the Providence Public School system.
Chiappetta holds a Masters degree in Education from URI, a Masters in Business Administration from The Yale School of Management, completed the prestigious Broad Residency, and holds Rhode Island principal and superintendent certifications.
Additionally, McKee announced the charter management organization, Democracy Prep/Builders Public Schools, would no longer be providing services to RIMABV schools. After months of negotiation, he said, it became clear to both the Rhode Island Mayoral Academies and RIMABV boards that reaching an agreement with Democracy Prep/Builders to renew their contract was not attainable.
â€śAlthough we are disappointed that we were unable to renew a contract with Democracy Prep this school year, we want to thank them for their service and efforts these past two years,â€ť stated McKee. â€śThe board is confident in the leadership abilities of our new executive director and Jeremy will have the full support of the board to ensure the mission of building high expectation, high performing Mayoral Academies continues to flourish and grow and Iâ€™m confident it will.â€ť
RIMABV teachers will remain in place providing continuity in the classroom during the managerial transition. The administrative duties previously handled or supported by Democracy Prep/Builders such as, professional development, program development and accounting and payroll services will all be transferred in-house.
â€śWe opened as a Mayoral Academy in Blackstone Valley, we will continue as a Mayoral Academy in Blackstone Valley,â€ť stated McKee. â€śOur decision to change management was based on a total commitment to the longterm fiscal and academic success of our Blackstone Valley schools. We will continue to provide our parents and students with a high quality educational model they expect and deserve.â€ť
â€śOur plans for continued growth in Rhode Island remain intact. We have briefed Commissioner Gist and her staff on this managerial transition and have assured them our contingency plan provides continuity while retaining the high caliber learning environment we have created,â€ť added McKee.